Two of the founding partners of the Global Sport University Network (GSUN) – the University of Oregon and the UK’s Loughborough University – have met to discuss its inaugural Summit.

The GSUN is a collective of universities from around the world that harnesses knowledge on sport to solve timely, complex problems. It brings together research, faculty insights and student energy to address topics that no one university could fully address on its own.

At its September Summit, taking place at the Oregon campus, the network will address the topic of inclusivity in sport performance, with a focus on para-athletes, ageing, gender, sexuality and mental health.

Professor Jo Maher, Loughborough’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sport, said: “It has been great to be back with colleagues at Oregon to discuss the work of the GSUN and how it can continue in its mission to collectively tackle some of the biggest issues and challenges in sport.

“Sport, across all levels, has the power to transform the lives of individuals and communities. Across the network we have some of the world’s leading experts in this field, who are all committed to harnessing the global good of sport to ensure its positive impact is truly realised.”

Dennis Galvan, Dean and Vice Provost, Division of Global Engagement from the University of Oregon said: “The University of Oregon is proud to host GSUN ’24 Summit which will bring together international academic experts from around the globe in sports science, engineering, technology and human performance, sports business, humanities, law, journalism and more with industry, sports leagues and federations, and members of the media for a two-day interactive summit focused on identifying current issues, research and solutions in inclusivity in sport performance.”

Registration for the Summit, which is being held from September 12-13 2024, is now open.

The 10-institution GSUN leadership council members are:

  • Loughborough University
  • University of Oregon
  • German Sport University Cologne
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Nanyang Technological University in Singapore
  • University of British Columbia
  • University of Cape Town in South Africa
  • University of Queensland in Australia
  • University of São Paulo in Brazil
  • Waseda University in Tokyo

The University of Oregon visit was part of a broader global engagement visit by Loughborough University to the US, leg by its President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Jennings. The delegation met with key representatives from education, industry and sport to build and strengthen the University’s strategic global partnerships and explore new opportunities to collaborate. They also hosted a number of alumni events to celebrate and connect Loughborough’s international community. The delegation visited Texas, Illinois, Oregon, New York and Florida.